As the conflict in the Middle East expands beyond physical battlegrounds into cyberspace, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical front, prompting the Philippines to step up its role in strengthening digital defenses across ASEAN.
This urgency took center stage at the recent forum “Managing Cyber Risk in Critical Infrastructure Investments,” organized by the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP), where government and industry leaders warned that cyber threats tied to geopolitical tensions could directly impact economies, infrastructure, and public trust.
Speaking at the event, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Division Chief Apple Pre underscored that as digital connectivity expands, so too does vulnerability.
“And as we expand connectivity, we are also expanding the attack surface. And with that, more systems, more users, and more data will increase exposure to cyberattacks. And this is why cyber security cannot be an afterthought. It must be integrated from the start, which is by design and by default,” Pre said.
“Cybersecurity is a cross-bounding pillar. And whether we talk about digital governance, public-private partnerships, or infrastructure resilience, security is what enables this to function safely and reliably. And at its core, cyber security ensures the protection of critical systems, connectivity of services, and trust of citizen stakeholders,” she added.
Pre linked this directly to the Philippines’ rollout of the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP), the country’s first infrastructure master plan for digital connectivity, which aims to strengthen interconnectivity while accelerating digital government services.
The forum also highlighted how ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are reshaping economic and policy priorities.
Chris Nelson, Executive Vice Chairman of the British Chamber, warned that global instability and domestic fiscal adjustments could weigh on growth, while emphasizing the need to push forward with key reforms.
“I think the other thing that particularly affects the Philippines at the moment, which we know had an impact on GDP, was actually the reduced government spending, which is in relation to the fact that much more controls have been put in place,” Nelson said.
“So, of course, we need to see that, but there has been a commitment to increased spending. So, I think the Philippines does stand there, but we would urge the Philippines to keep on with its legislation passages, particularly on e-commerce, on digital payments and, of course, on cybersecurity,” he added.
Among the key policy developments welcomed by the Chamber was the signing of the implementing rules and regulations of the E-Governance Act, seen as a cornerstone of the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
At the regional level, the Philippines, currently chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is positioning cybersecurity as a central pillar of cooperation, particularly as cyber threats grow more sophisticated and transnational.
Pre emphasized that building cyber resilience will require “stronger collaboration with private sectors, international, and ASEAN as well, so that the best practices, if it’s shared, we can be more equipped, especially because they have enhanced cybersecurity posture. So those things, actually, of course, with that, we can be more equipped as they give us training as well, and it can really develop the skills here in the Philippines.”
The forum is supported by Eastern Communications, KMC, and media partner The Philippine Business and News.